Championship club Reading went to watch Fabio Saraiva on Saturday – only to discover he’d gone out on loan.

They sent a scout to the Gallagher Stadium for the match against Hampton & Richmond but were told Saraiva had rejoined his former club Merstham until the end of the season.

The midfielder’s loan move came less than a fortnight after he’d scored four goals in two away victories.

Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “Fabio had done well for us but I felt he froze a little bit in front of big crowds at home.

“It’s no secret Mickey Phillips and Alex Brown have been my preferred pairing in central midfield. I knew I was going to start with them now they’re fit and Fabio’s an honest lad who just want to play games.

“He feels he’s improved here and I still believe he has a future with us. We can always call him back after 28 days.

“He’s got everything in his game. He’s a great passer and he scores goals but there are areas he needs to improve. I see him in the Mickey Phillips role. Mickey has the edge, but he also has 10 years on him, so you’d expect that."

Phillips will continue to captain the side in the absence of injured skipper Steve Watt when United go to Kingstonian for a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.